Flexible wing apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a wing apparatus for snow removal to remove snow and ice debris from an ice rink area delimited by boards without damaging the boards. The wing apparatus includes a first end configured for attaching the wing to the snow removal machine; a second end having at least one bearing roller for rolling on the boards; and a portion there between for receiving and directing the snow and ice debris towards the snow removal machine. Several mechanisms are disclosed to adapt the wing to be flexible to different operating ranges from the boards without damaging the boards.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is the first application filed for the present application.

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to the field of snow removal and, moreparticularly, to the field of snow removal from surfaces bound by wallsor boards, such as outdoor or indoor skating rinks in general, and to aflexible wing apparatus and method, in particular.

BACKGROUND OF THE APPLICATION

It is common practice to remove snow from ice skating rinks using snowshovels, snow blowers or the more frequent use of tractors with snowploughs at the front or rear. The shovel and the snow blower are methodsthat may require a lot of effort and time. A tractor or pick-up truckwith a snow plough facilitates the task. Although a tractor or pick-uptruck with a snow plough facilitates the task, however, lest the boardsbe damaged, the snow plough is kept away leaving snow and ice residueson the edge of the boards especially in the curves or an ice rink builtin angled panels. Once frozen, these residues may present an obstacleand a risk of injury to players and skaters so they may be removed withshovels or brooms, thereby increasing the duration of snow removal andoperating costs.

SUMMARY

It would be advantageous to provide a solution that reduces the durationof the snow and ice removal of an ice rink. It would also beadvantageous to provide a solution that reduces the operating cost ofthe snow and ice removal of an ice rink. It would further beadvantageous to provide a solution that does not damage the boards ofthe ice rink.

According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided awing apparatus suitable for cooperation with a snow removal machineoperating to remove snow from an ice rink area delimited by boardswithout damaging the boards. The wing apparatus includes: (a) a firstend configured for attaching the wing to the snow removal machine; (b) asecond end having at least one bearing roller for rolling on the boards;and (c) a portion there between for receiving and directing the snowtowards the snow removal machine. This prevents damage to the boards inthe event that the wing apparatus contacts the boards by operation ofthe at least one bearing roller to protect the boards of the ice rinkagainst friction of the wing, while enabling the snow removal machine toremove snow. In some embodiments, the wing includes a mechanism in theportion of the wing apparatus between the first end and the second end,thereby delimiting: (i) a stationary wing portion between the first endand the mechanism; and (ii) a movable wing portion between the mechanismand the second end, the movable wing portion movable relative to thestationary wing portion by action of the mechanism. In some embodiments,the wing apparatus mechanism operates on the movable wing portion so asto bias the movable wing portion against the board such that the bearingroller maintains contact with the boards over a predetermined range ofmotion of the snow removal machine relative to the boards. In someembodiments, the mechanism includes: (a) a hinge linking the stationarywing portion to the movable wing portion; and (b) a tension springbiasing the hinge in an open position. This biases the bearing rollertowards the boards over a predetermined range of angle between themovable wing portion and the stationary wing portion. In someembodiments, the hinge further comprises a removable pin, therebyenabling the movable wing portion to be releasably attached to thestationary wing portion when the pin is inserted into the hinge, and themovable wing portion to be detached from the stationary wing portionwhen the pin is removed from the hinge. In some embodiments, the hingeand tension spring are provided by a living hinge. In some embodiments,the wing includes at least one of a supporting roller, roller support,flange, scraping blade, bottom support plate, bottom support bracket,guide plate, access hole, reinforcing angle, support plate, spring hook,spring slide, wheel, wheel support, and rear reinforcing angle. In someembodiments, the mechanism includes: (a) a sliding engagement betweenthe movable wing portion and the sliding wing portion such that themovable wing portion can slide relative to the stationary wing portion;(b) a compression spring biasing the sliding engagement in an extendedposition. In some embodiments, the bearing roller towards the boardsover a predetermined range of distance between the movable wing portionand the stationary wing portion. In some embodiments, the mechanismincludes a stop block to dictate the maximum opening of the hinge,leaving the retraction mobility free of a forward angle. In someembodiments, the wing is in a forward angle position, the entire snowremoval machine and wing combination is J-shaped, which facilitates theremoval of snow or other materials without spilling out towards the endof the snow removal machine.

According to another aspect, there is provided a wing apparatus suitablefor cooperation with a surface material removal machine operating toremove surface material from an area delimited by boards withoutdamaging the boards. The wing apparatus includes: (a) a first endconfigured for attaching the wing to the removal machine; (b) a secondend having at least one bearing roller for rolling on the boards; and(c) a portion there between for receiving and directing the mattertowards the removal machine. This prevents damage to the boards in theevent that the wing apparatus contacts the boards by operation of the atleast one bearing roller while enabling the removal machine to removethe material.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of operating asnow removal machine to remove snow from an ice rink area delimited byboards without damaging the boards. The method includes the steps of:(a) providing a wing apparatus comprising: (i) a first end configuredfor attaching the wing to the snow removal machine; (ii) a second endhaving at least one bearing roller for rolling on the boards; and (iii)a portion there between for receiving and directing the snow and icedebris towards the snow removal machine; (b) if the snow removal machineis below a predetermined distance from the boards, operating the snowremoval machine so that the bearing roller rolls on the boards; and (c)if the snow removal machine is above the predetermined distance from theboards, operating the snow removal machine so that the bearing rollerdoes not roll on the boards. This prevents damage to the boards in theevent that the wing apparatus contacts the boards by operation of the atleast one bearing roller to protect the boards of the ice rink againstfriction of the wing, while enabling the snow removal machine to removesnow.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of operating asurface material removal machine to remove surface material from an areadelimited by boards without damaging the boards, the method includingthe steps of: (a) providing a wing apparatus comprising: (i) a first endconfigured for attaching the wing to the surface material removalmachine; (ii) a second end having at least one bearing roller forrolling on the boards; and (iii) a portion there between for receivingand directing the surface material towards the surface material removalmachine; (b) if the surface material removal machine is below apredetermined distance from the boards, operating the surface materialsremoval machine so that the bearing roller rolls on the boards; and (c)if the surface material removal machine is above the predetermineddistance from the boards, operating the surface material removal machineso that the bearing roller does not roll on the boards. This preventsdamage to the boards in the event that the wing apparatus contacts theboards by operation of the at least one bearing roller to protect theboards of the ice rink against friction of the wing, while enabling thesurface materials removal machine to remove surface materials.

Other aspects and features of the present application will becomeapparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of thefollowing description of specific embodiments of a flexible wingapparatus and method in conjunction with the accompanying drawingfigures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present application will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawing figures,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a wing provided in accordance with anembodiment of the present application;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged detail view of the roller feature of the wing ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the wing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left view of the wing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the wing of FIG. 1 cooperating with a snowblower;

FIG. 5 is a left view of the wing of FIG. 1 cooperating with the snowblower of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a wing provided in accordance with anembodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the wing of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a left view of the wing of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top view of an ice skating rink;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the ice skating rink of FIG. 9 covered in snow;

FIG. 11 is a top view of a first example operating path for clearing theice skating rink covered in snow of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the rink and remaining snow after using thefirst example operating path for clearing some of the snow on the iceskating rink of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a second example operating path for clearing the remainingsnow on the ice skating rink of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top detail view of a third example operating path in theupper left corner of the ice skating rink and remaining snow of FIG. 12;and

FIG. 15 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method of using a wingapparatus;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method of using a wingapparatus;

FIG. 17 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a wing;

FIG. 18 is a top view of an alternative ice skating rink;

FIG. 19 is a top view of the alternative ice skating rink of FIG. 18covered in snow;

FIG. 20 is a top view of a first example operating path for clearing thealternative ice skating rink covered in snow of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a top view of the alternative rink and remaining snow afterusing the first example operating path for clearing some of the snow onthe ice skating rink of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a second example operating path for clearing the remainingsnow on the alternative ice skating rink of FIG. 20; and

FIG. 23 is a top detail view of a third example operating path in theupper left corner of the alternative ice skating rink and remaining snowof FIG. 20.

Like reference numerals are used in different figures to denote similarelements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This application teaches snow removal improvements specifically foroutdoor or indoor skating rinks while protecting the boards against anydamage that may be caused by the metal portions of a snow plough. Theimprovements are applicable to the practice of removing snow or othersurface material from outdoor or indoor skating rinks using snowshovels, snow blowers or the more frequent use of tractors with snowploughs at the front or rear. Since the shovel and the snow blower aremethods that require a lot of effort and time, a tractor or pick-uptruck with a snow plough facilitates the task. While avoiding damagingthe boards, a snow plough is enabled to get at the snow close to theboard without leaving snow and ice residues on the edge of the boards,which may be especially useful in the curves of an ice rink, or an icerink built using angled panels. These residues, which typically freeze,may no longer be present as obstacles and a risk of injury to players,skaters, workers or property because they have been addressed withoutthe need for shovels or brooms and without damaging property. Theduration and operating costs may be reduced by using embodiments of theapplication attached to a snow plough. The snow removal operation may beabout three times faster including the removal of residues along theedge of the boards. An embodiment of a wing, for example, installed onthe left may make it possible to go faster with the snow plough and tocollect all the discharge on the right leaving the left side immaculate.An operator may no longer have the task of shovelling around the edge ofthe rinks, except for a small portion at the entrance of the ice rinkwhen a snow plough comes out. In some embodiments, the wing has apivoting section retained by a spring and provided with bearing rollersat the end so as to keep the pivoting section accommodating the stripwhile minimizing the damage that may be inflicted by a fixed wing or nowing at all.

Disclosed herein is a two-part wing attached to the left or right of asnowplough used on vehicles such as pickup trucks and tractors for thepurpose of moving or blowing snow or other surface material from anoutdoor or indoor skating rink. The wing of the snowplough has two maincomponents, one of which is fixed to the snow plough and the other isable to pivot at the end of the fixed component by means of a hinge. Aspring connects the two components of the wing ensuring the maximumopening of the wing dictated by a stop block, leaving the retractionmobility free of a forward angle. When the snowplough wing is in aforward angle position, the entire snowplough is J-shaped, whichfacilitates the removal of snow or other materials without spilling outtowards the end of the snow plough. The swivel component of the wing isequipped with a rubber or plastic roller to protect the boards of an icerink against friction of the wing.

Referring to the drawings showing a first embodiment, FIG. 1 is a frontview of a wing provided in accordance with an embodiment of the presentapplication. FIG. 1A which is an enlarged detail view of the rollerfeature of the wing of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a top view of the wing ofFIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a left view of the wing of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a topview of the wing of FIG. 1 cooperating with a snow scoop 300 of a snowblower, a form of snow removal machine 310, another example of which isa snow plough. FIG. 5 is a left view of the wing of FIG. 1 cooperatingwith the snow blower of FIG. 4. The following elements are shown inFIGS. 1-5: stationary wing portion 10, pin 20, movable wing portion 30,supporting roller 40, roller support 50, bearing roller 60, flange 70,hinge 80, scraping blade 90, bottom support plate 100, bottom supportbracket 110, guide plate 120, access hole 130, reinforcing angle 140,support plate 150, spring hook 160, spring slide 170, tension spring180, wheel 190, wheel support 200, and rear reinforcing angle 210.

Referring to the drawings showing a second embodiment, FIG. 6 is a frontview of a wing provided in accordance with an embodiment of the presentapplication. FIG. 7 is a top view of the wing of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is aleft view of the wing of FIG. 6. The following elements are shown inFIGS. 6-8: stationary wing portion 10, pin 20, movable wing portion 30,roller support 50, bearing roller 60, flange 70, hinge 80, scrapingblade 90, bottom support plate 100, bottom support bracket 110, guideplate 120, access hole 130, reinforcing angle 140, support plate 150,spring hook 160, spring slide 170, tension spring 180, wheel 190, wheelsupport 200, and rear reinforcing angle 210.

Operationally, the stationary wing portion 10, remains substantiallystationary with respect to the snow removal machine 310 that the wing isattached to, while the movable wing portion 30 is substantially movablewith respect to the snow removal machine 310 that the wing is attachedto, the result being a flexible wing made up of these two portions. Thebottom support bracket 110 is provided on the snow removal machine 310,whereas the guide plate 120, and access hole 130 on one hand, and thebottom support plate 100 on the other hand are provided on thestationary wing portion 10 so as to adapt the stationary wing portion 10of the wing to different snow removal machine 310 and to maintain thestationary wing portion 10 substantially stationary at a given anglewith respect to the front of snow removal machine 310. The reinforcingangle 140 and support plate 150 provided on the stationary wing portion10 further improve this stationary given angle functionality.

The scraping blade 90 serves two functions: first, as its name implies,it scrapes the rink; second it extends the reach of the stationary wingportion 10 so as to position the bottom support plate 100 to connectwith the bottom support bracket 110 on the snow removal machine 310. Inorder to attach the stationary wing portion 10 to a snow removal machine310, the bottom support bracket 110 is provided to be attached to thebottom of the snow removal machine 310. The stationary wing portion 10includes the support plate 150 and the reinforcing angle 140 at therear, the scraping blade 90 welded underneath, the bottom support plate100 at the other end of the scraping blade 90, and is terminated by onehalf of the hinge 80.

The guide plate 120, including the reinforcing angle 140, is bolted tothe support plate 150 at the rear of the stationary wing portion 10. Thebottom support bracket 110 is attached to the front of the snow removalmachine 310. The support pieces (bottom support plate 100, bottomsupport bracket 110, reinforcing angle 140 and support plate 150) areperforated to receive bolts. The stationary wing portion 10 is thenitself stabilized by using bolts and threaded nuts (not shown) retainingthe support parts (bottom support plate 100 and bottom support bracket110). An access hole 130 allows access to the fixing bolt (throughreinforcing angle 140 and support plate 150) with the snow removalmachine 310 when the guide plate 120 is inserted on the side of the snowremoval machine 310. The support parts (bottom support plate 100 andbottom support bracket 110) and the assembly including (reinforcingangle 140 and support plate 150) may be modified for securing to anyother kind or model of snow removal machine 310.

The movable wing portion 30 is provided with a hinged end (the otherhalf of hinge 80) at one end of the flange 70. The Flange 70 alsoprovides the scraping functionality for movable wing portion 30 that isequivalent to the scraping blade 90 of the stationary wing portion 10.The flange 70 is integral to and provided on the bottom of the movablewing portion 30, whereas the scraping blade 90 is welded onto thestationary wing portion 10. The movable wing portion 30 includes threeroller support 50, three pair of supporting roller 40 and three bearingroller 60 held by bolts and nuts, as illustrated in the enlargement FIG.1A.

The stationary wing portion 10 and the movable wing portion 30 are thenconnected by the hinged ends which when brought together form the hinge80 and retained by a pin 20. The rear of the assembly includes a rearreinforcing angle 210 welded to the movable wing portion 30, wheelsupport 200, wheel 190, spring slide 170, two spring hook 160, one foreach of the stationary wing portion 10 and movable wing portion 30, andtension spring 180. Spring slide 170 and wheel support 200 are welded tothe movable wing portion 30. The two spring hook 160, spring slide 170and tension spring 180 operate to bias the movable wing portion 30 openaway from the snow removal machine 310.

FIG. 9 is a top view of an ice skating rink. The ice rink 400 issurrounded by boards, including a number of straight board 410 andcorner board 420.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the ice skating rink of FIG. 10 covered insnow. Snow cover 500 covers ice rink 400 such that portions of snowcover 500 are adjacent to straight board 410 and corner board 420.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a first example operating path for clearing thehockey rink covered in snow of FIG. 10. A first path 510 for operating asnow removal device that is sufficiently far away from boards includingstraight board 410 and corner board 420 is illustrated.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the of the ice skating and remaining snow afterusing the first example operating path for clearing most of the snow onthe hockey rink of FIG. 10. After the central portion of the now coveris removed, a remaining portion of board snow 520 remains against theboards including straight board 410 and corner board 420.

FIG. 13 is a view of a second example operating path for clearing theremaining snow on the an ice skating rink of FIG. 12. A second path 530for operating a snow removal device that is close enough to boardsincluding straight board 410 or corner board 420 to remove the boardsnow 520 is illustrated.

FIG. 14 is a top detail view of a third example operating path in theupper left corner of the ice skating rink and remaining snow of FIG. 12.A third path 540 for operating a snow removal machine that is closeenough to boards including straight board 410 or corner board 420 toremove the board snow 520 is illustrated. As illustrated a snow removalmachine 310 begins with the movable wing at an angle alpha with respectto the fixed wing. When the bearing roller 60 on the movable wing comesinto contact with the boards, such as straight board 410 or corner board420, advantageously the bearing roller 60 rolls against the boardsthereby avoiding any damage to the boards. Further advantageously, themovable wing moves to vary the angle alpha so as to accommodate avariable distance of operating the snow removable wing from the boardswithout damage to the boards.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart 600 view of an embodiment of a method of using awing apparatus. The flowchart 600 begins at a step whereat one would‘attach wing’ 610 to a snow removal machine. At a ‘Near boards?’ 620step, depending on whether the snow removal machine is operatingsufficiently far away or close enough to boards, then the step of‘operate normally’ 630 (of the snow removal machine) or the step of‘operate rolling on boards’ 650 (of the snow removal machine) occurs. Atthe ‘operate normally’ 630 step, a portion of the snow cover 500 that issufficiently far away from the boards is removed. At the ‘operaterolling on boards’ 650 step, a portion of the board snow 520 is removedwith the bearing roller 60 rolling on boards. At step ‘remove snowwithout board damage’ 640, a portion of the snow cover 500 is removedwithout any damage to the boards, including straight board 410 andcorner board 420.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method of using a wingapparatus. The flowchart 700 begins at a step whereat one would ‘attachwing’ 610 to a snow removal machine. At a ‘Near boards?’ 620 step,depending on whether the snow removal machine is operating sufficientlyfar away or close enough to boards, then the step of ‘operate normally’630 (of the snow removal machine) or the step of ‘operate rolling onboards’ 650 (of the snow removal machine) occurs. At the ‘operatenormally’ 630 step, a portion of the snow cover 500 that is sufficientlyfar away from the boards is removed. At the ‘operate rolling on boards’650 step, a portion of the board snow 520 is removed with the bearingroller 60 rolling on boards. At step ‘Within range of boards?’ 652, thesnow removal machine either is within a predetermined range of theboards that maintains the bearing roller 60 in contact with the boards,or not. If still in contact with the boards, then at ‘Movable wingadjusts’ step, the movable wing moves to keep the bearing roller 60 incontact with the boards. At step ‘remove snow without board damage’ 640,a portion of the snow cover 500 is removed without any damage to theboards, including straight board 410 and corner board 420.

FIG. 17 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a wing. Instead ofhaving a hinge, a sliding engagement 187 and a compression spring 185 isused to attach the movable wing portion 30 to the stationary wingportion 10. When the bearing roller 60 contacts the boards 410, anyfurther movement of the snow removal machine 310 towards the boards 410causes the movable wing portion 30 to telescope over the stationary wingportion 10. The bearing roller 60 remains in contact with the boards dueto the biasing action of the compression spring 185, which operates overa predetermined range between D1 and D2 of distance from the boards 410.

FIG. 18 is a top view of an alternative ice skating rink. The ice rink400 is surrounded by boards, including a number of straight board 410and 45 degree corner board 445, which as illustrated in this case is a45 degree corner instead of the round corner board 420.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the alternative ice skating rink of FIG. 10covered in snow. Snow cover 500 covers ice rink 400 such that portionsof snow cover 500 are adjacent to straight board 410 and 45 degreecorner board 445.

FIG. 20 is a top view of a first example operating path for clearing thealternative hockey rink covered in snow of FIG. 10. A first path 510 foroperating a snow removal device that is sufficiently far away fromboards including straight board 410 and 45 degree corner board 445 isillustrated.

FIG. 21 is a top view of the of the alternative ice skating andremaining snow after using the first example operating path for clearingmost of the snow on the hockey rink of FIG. 20. After the centralportion of the now cover is removed, a remaining portion of board snow520 remains against the boards including straight board 410 and 45degree corner board 445.

FIG. 22 is a view of a second example operating path for clearing theremaining snow on the alternative ice skating rink of FIG. 21. A secondpath 530 for operating a snow removal device that is close enough toboards including straight board 410 or 45 degree corner board 445 toremove the board snow 520 is illustrated.

FIG. 23 is a top detail view of a third example operating path in theupper left corner of the ice skating rink and remaining snow of FIG. 21.A third path 540 for operating a snow removal machine that is closeenough to boards including straight board 410 or 45 degree corner board445 to remove the board snow 520 is illustrated. As illustrated a snowremoval machine 310 begins with the movable wing at an angle alpha withrespect to the fixed wing. When the bearing roller 60 on the movablewing comes into contact with the boards, such as straight board 410 or45 degree corner board 445, advantageously the bearing roller 60 rollsagainst the boards thereby avoiding any damage to the boards. Furtheradvantageously, the movable wing moves to vary the angle alpha so as toaccommodate a variable distance of operating the snow removable wingfrom the boards without damage to the boards.

Although not expressly shown in the drawings, the movable wing portionand the stationary wing portion can be provided in an integral part thathas an integral mechanism, such as a living hinge, between the twoportions.

Although not expressly shown in the drawings, other designs areenvisaged as a function of the shape and dimensions of different modelsof snow removing machines. For example, instead of the mechanism joiningthe stationary portion of the wing to the movable portion of the wing,it is envisaged and therefore within the scope of the application, thatanother mechanism be used, such as for example a resilient rubber piecethat joins the two portions of the wings so long as the movable wingportion can move relative to the stationary portion of the wing. Anotheralternative envisaged is to form the flexible wing using a plasticmaterial featuring an integral hinge at the juncture between the movablewing portion and the stationary wing portion. Yet another alternative isthe use of a telescoping mechanism instead of a rotating mechanismwhereby the movable wing slides behind the stationary wing instead ofrotating, such that what is meant by flexible wing as used in thisdescription and the accompanying claims, is that the wing is forgivingwith respect to the contact of the wing with the boards so as not todamage them.

It is also envisaged that, although snow removal from an ice rink is thefirst application of the technology disclosed herein, the flexible wingapparatus and method could be used to scoop any residue that amassesnear an edge where a substantially horizontal rink-like surface and asubstantially vertical board-like surface meet, such as for example, butnot limited to, soil, gravel, sand, salt, or any other loose substance,without damaging the walls of the container from which it is beingscooped.

The above-described embodiments of the present application are intendedto be examples only. Those of skill in the art may effect alterations,modifications and variations to the particular embodiments withoutdeparting from the scope of the application, which is set forth in theclaims

What is claimed is:
 1. A wing apparatus suitable for cooperation with asnow removal machine operating to remove snow from an ice rink areadelimited by boards without damaging the boards, the wing apparatuscomprising: (a) a first end configured for attaching the wing to thesnow removal machine; (b) a second end having at least one bearingroller for rolling on the boards; and (c) a portion there between forreceiving and directing the snow towards the snow removal machine;thereby preventing damage to the boards in the event that the wingapparatus contacts the boards by operation of the at least one bearingroller to protect the boards of the ice rink against friction of thewing, while enabling the snow removal machine to remove snow.
 2. Thewing apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: (a) amechanism provided in the portion of the wing apparatus between thefirst end and the second end, thereby delimiting: (i) a stationary wingportion between the first end and the mechanism; and (ii) a movable wingportion between the mechanism and the second end, the movable wingportion movable relative to the stationary wing portion by action of themechanism.
 3. The wing apparatus as recited in claim 2, whereby themechanism operates on the movable wing portion so as to bias the movablewing portion against the board such that the bearing roller maintainscontact with the boards over a predetermined range of motion of the snowremoval machine relative to the boards.
 4. The wing apparatus as recitedin claim 2 wherein the mechanism includes: (a) a hinge linking thestationary wing portion to the movable wing portion; and (b) a tensionspring biasing the hinge in an open position; thereby biasing thebearing roller towards the boards over a predetermined range of anglebetween the movable wing portion and the stationary wing portion.
 5. Thewing apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the hinge furthercomprises a removable pin, thereby enabling the movable wing portion tobe releasably attached to the stationary wing portion when the pin isinserted into the hinge, and the movable wing portion to be detachedfrom the stationary wing portion when the pin is removed from the hinge.6. The wing apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the hinge andtension spring are provided by a living hinge.
 7. The wing apparatus asrecited in claim 1, further comprising at least one of a supportingroller, roller support, flange, scraping blade, bottom support plate,bottom support bracket, guide plate, access hole, reinforcing angle,support plate, spring hook, spring slide, wheel, wheel support, and rearreinforcing angle.
 8. The wing apparatus as recited in claim 2, whereinthe mechanism includes: (a) a sliding engagement between the movablewing portion and the sliding wing portion such that the movable wingportion can slide relative to the stationary wing portion; (b) acompression spring biasing the sliding engagement in an extendedposition; thereby biasing the bearing roller towards the boards over apredetermined range of distance between the movable wing portion and thestationary wing portion.
 9. The wing apparatus as recited in claim 4,wherein the mechanism includes a stop block to dictate the maximumopening of the hinge, leaving the retraction mobility free of a forwardangle.
 10. The wing apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein, when thewing is in a forward angle position, the entire snow removal machine andwing combination is J-shaped, which facilitates the removal of snow orother materials without spilling out towards the end of the snow removalmachine.
 11. A wing apparatus suitable for cooperation with a surfacematerial removal machine operating to remove surface material from anarea delimited by boards without damaging the boards, the wing apparatuscomprising: (a) a first end configured for attaching the wing to theremoval machine; (b) a second end having at least one bearing roller forrolling on the boards; and (c) a portion there between for receiving anddirecting the matter towards the removal machine; thereby preventingdamage to the boards in the event that the wing apparatus contacts theboards by operation of the at least one bearing roller while enablingthe removal machine to remove the material.
 12. A method of operating asnow removal machine to remove snow from an ice rink area delimited byboards without damaging the boards, the method including the steps of:(a) providing a wing apparatus comprising: (i) a first end configuredfor attaching the wing to the snow removal machine; (ii) a second endhaving at least one bearing roller for rolling on the boards; and (iii)a portion there between for receiving and directing the snow and icedebris towards the snow removal machine; (b) if the snow removal machineis below a predetermined distance from the boards, operating the snowremoval machine so that the bearing roller rolls on the boards; and (c)if the snow removal machine is above the predetermined distance from theboards, operating the snow removal machine so that the bearing rollerdoes not roll on the boards. thereby preventing damage to the boards inthe event that the wing apparatus contacts the boards by operation ofthe at least one bearing roller to protect the boards of the ice rinkagainst friction of the wing, while enabling the snow removal machine toremove snow.
 13. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprisingthe step of: (a) providing a mechanism in the portion of the wingapparatus between the first end and the second end, thereby delimiting:(i) a stationary wing portion between the first end and the mechanism;and (ii) a movable wing portion between the mechanism and the secondend, the movable wing portion movable relative to the stationary wingportion by action of the mechanism.
 14. The method as recited in claim13, further comprising the step of biasing the movable wing portionagainst the board such that the bearing roller maintains contact withthe boards over a predetermined range of motion of the snow removalmachine relative to the boards.
 15. The method as recited in claim 13further including the steps of: (a) providing a hinge linking thestationary wing portion to the movable wing portion; and (b) providing atension spring biasing the hinge in an open position; thereby biasingthe bearing roller towards the boards over a predetermined range ofangle between the movable wing portion and the stationary wing portion.16. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step ofproviding a removable pin in the hinge, thereby enabling the movablewing portion to be releasably attached to the stationary wing portionwhen the pin is inserted into the hinge, and the movable wing portion tobe detached from the stationary wing portion when the pin is removedfrom the hinge.
 17. The method as recited in claim 15, furthercomprising the step of providing both the hinge and tension spring byusing a living hinge.
 18. The method as recited in claim 15, furthercomprising the step of providing at least one of a supporting roller,roller support, flange, scraping blade, bottom support plate, bottomsupport bracket, guide plate, access hole, reinforcing angle, supportplate, spring hook, spring slide, wheel, wheel support, and rearreinforcing angle.
 19. The method as recited in claim 13, furthercomprising the steps of: (a) providing a sliding engagement in themechanism between the movable wing portion and the sliding wing portionsuch that the movable wing portion can slide relative to the stationarywing portion; (b) providing a compression spring in the mechanismbiasing the sliding engagement in an extended position; thereby biasingthe bearing roller towards the boards over a predetermined range ofdistance between the movable wing portion and the stationary wingportion.
 20. A method of operating a surface material removal machine toremove surface material from an area delimited by boards withoutdamaging the boards, the method including the steps of: (a) providing awing apparatus comprising: (i) a first end configured for attaching thewing to the surface material removal machine; (ii) a second end havingat least one bearing roller for rolling on the boards; and (iii) aportion there between for receiving and directing the surface materialtowards the surface material removal machine; (b) if the surfacematerial removal machine is below a predetermined distance from theboards, operating the surface materials removal machine so that thebearing roller rolls on the boards; and (c) if the surface materialremoval machine is above the predetermined distance from the boards,operating the surface material removal machine so that the bearingroller does not roll on the boards. thereby preventing damage to theboards in the event that the wing apparatus contacts the boards byoperation of the at least one bearing roller to protect the boards ofthe ice rink against friction of the wing, while enabling the surfacematerials removal machine to remove surface materials.